May 1st I’ve been to a small town in the State of São Paulo called Salto with two friends who were going to take part on a Strongman contest. It was a bright and sunny day and hot as hell. 

The organizer, Robison Pereira, is an old friend from Powerlifting. As we got there, tasks were attributed to all of us: I filled the results spreadsheet for a while, the athletes registration and, following that, I was in charge of timekeeping/refeeing. It is still something among friends, so friends must help. 

There were 4 events: turning the 500lb tire, the Yoke walk, Atlas Stones (only two) and car pushing (not pulling). Distances and number of turns (tire) were set according to weight categories (up to 80kg, up to 100kg and above 100kg). 

On the first event, my friend Renatinho was injured: the tire fell over his foot. He went along just to watch the other friend, Thiago, who was registered on the competition and decided to take part just for fun (actually, because we encouraged him…. I felt pretty guilty: we are working hard on our preparation for the Brazilian Powerlifting Championship, all we did NOT need was an injured foot. He was taken to the local hospital and fortunately nothing serious happened to bones or ligaments. 

On the 100kg category, Luciano Dias and Carlos Eduardo Ferraz scored 33 points and the first place was decided by weight: 200g difference, unbelievable. 

I thought it was really fun: about 200 people watching, many probably drunk, so we (the timekeepers / referees ) had to wipe them off quite physically, since “get the f* out of our way” didn’t work. I had never been to a Strongman constest and if this is more or less how most of them are, they seem like a hybrid between a sport and a traditional street festival. 

That’s my idea of a fun holyday!